Fokminff mechanism



May 26, 1931.

G. F. FORD ET-AL `'FORMING MECHANISM Filed April 25, 1930 2 sheets-sheet `1 WHA 754 FI' PITT/VAN May 26, 1931. G. F. FORD ET AL FORMI NG MECHANI SM Filed April 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS roep I @weer r Y murs@ P 61% LM :wf/@ATTORNEY Patented Mayas, 1931 UNITED STATES i' PATENT oFFlcEf GEORGE F. FORD, OF LOS ANGELES, AND WALTER F. PITTINIAN, 0F HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO FIBREBOABD PRODUCTS INC., 0F SAN FRANCISCO,

CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE FORMING MECHANISM Application ld April 25,

Our invention relates to mechanism for forming a fiber board structure; and one of the objects of the invention is to provide means for forming and folding supporting legs on the bottom edges of a carton.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with' the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of our invention. It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to this disclosure of species of our invention, as we may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings :.l

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the mechanism of our invention, portions being cut away the better to disclose the structure.`

Figure 2 is an end elevation of part of the structure shown in Figure 1, the direction in which the view is taken being indicated by the arrow 2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sectional views of a carton, showing respectively the folded state in which the carton is delivered to the mechanism described herein, and the state, with legs formed, in which it leaves our-mechanism. Figure 5 is an end view, partly in section, showing the finished carton set up.l

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary vlews in elevation of those portions of thel machine and the carton being worked on, which are enclosed in the dotted circle of Figure 2.

In the makingof egg cartons or similar boxes, itis desirable for many reasons to form the bottom of the carton with anges or legs along the lower edges as shown in Figure 5. Our present invention relates to mechanism for forming these supporting flanges during the manufacture of the carton', and broadly, comprises a platen on which the partially folded blank, as shown in Figure 3, is deposited and positioned, so that the opposite folded edges overhang the edges of the platen. Jaws are arranged adjacentopposite sides of the platen; and mechanism is provided for moving the platen and jaws so as to bend the' lower layer of each folded edge over the edge of the platen, and simultaneously allow the upper layer' to swing upwardlyv and away from the lower layer. J

1930. Serial No. 447,180.

At this point the jaws and platen separate -slightly to permit removal of the blank.

Means are also provided for recipocating the condition, the blank proceeds through other steps with which We are not at present concerned to completlon as a carton.

In greater detail our invention comprlses a frame generally designated by the numeral 2, and slidably mounted on the bar or slide 3, fixed in a desirable place in the carton making machine. The frame includes a top plate 4, at the ends of which depend walls 6. A plate 7 closes the bottom of the frame, and between it and the end walls, bearings are provided for the slide '3.

A connecting rod 8, pivoted to the bottom of the frame and to the driving disk 9, causes reciprocation of the f rame. The disk) is fixed on a shaft 11, journaled in suitable bearings in the main frame 12', of the carton-forming machine; and is driven by any suitable connection, such as to the power shaft 13.

AMounted for vertical movement in thle frame 2, is a platen 14, with its lower edges 15 beveled and having depending legs 516, forming a sliding fit within the end alls 6 of the frame, as best shown in Figure 1. The lower ends of the legs are provided with rollers 17 adapted to engage the cams 18, so that upon the reciprocation of the frame, the platen moves up .andV down.

To insure a prompt, recovery movement after rising, the platen at each end is provided with posts 19, between the heads of which and the frame, springs 21 'are interposed, so that the cams 18 raise the platen against the resistance of the springs, which insure prompt lowering of the platen as the frame moves back of the cams.

Alsoinounted 0n the frame to slide toward sov and from the platen, are the twin aws 22 and 23, one on each side of the platen. Each jaw is mounted on ,at pair of spaced, transverse slides 24, on the under side of each of which are the rack teeth 26, in mesh with a driving gear.

On the right side as viewed in Figure 2,

the driving gears 27 are fixed on a shaft 28,

journaled in brackets 29 on the frame 4. Each of these gears is in mesh with a similar gear 31, fixed on the shaft 32, also journaled in the brackets 29.

The shaft 32 is connected by the link 33 with the shaft 34, journaled in the brackets 36 on the frame 2, and on which shaft are fixed the gears 37 meshing with the racks of jaw 22. Thus the jaws 22 and 23 are connected together for simultaneous and like motion.

Means are provided for rocking the shaft 34 so as to reciprocate the jaws 22 and 23. Fixed on the shaft near each end thereof are links 38, carrying the rod 39. A link 41 slidable on this rod is pivoted to the cross head 42 slidably arranged in the bracket 43 carried on the main frame 12 of the machine.

Reciprocating movement of the cross head is imparted by the link 44 lever 46, link 47, and lever 48; the later being provided with a roller 49, bearing on the periphery of the suitably shaped cam disk 51, and held resiliently thereon by the spring 52. The cam disk is fixed on the shaft 53, journaled on the main frame and connected in any suitable manner to the power shaft 13.

Because of the slidable mounting of the link 41 on the rod 39, the reciprocation of the frame and platen structure is unaffected by the connection of the rack-and-gear mechanism to the cross head.

The platen 14 is adapted to receive a partially folded carton, 'generallydesignated by the numeral 56, at one end of the stroke of the frame 2 (left of Figure l). The carton is fed to the platen by the rolls 57, geared together, and driven from any suitable' source, such as by belt or chain from the power shaft 13.

Prior to reaching the rolls 57, the carton blank has been variously worked upon, including shaping, creasing, folding as indicated in Figure 3, and preferably the application of glue along a narrow strip within the fold 58 on each side.

Thus the partially formed carton reaches the rolls 57 with creases 59 extending longitudinally along the bottom 60 thereof to facilitate folding, and the fiaps Gland 62 folded over upon the glued fold which is planned to secure the layers together on each side from the inside corner of the fold to the crease 59, the glued portion later forming the legs of the carton.

Emerging from the rolls 57, the blank is received on the platen as the frame and platen structure approaches the end of its movement in one direction; a presser foot 63 dropping on the blank to hold it resiliently in place. The presser foot is carried on the arm 64, fixed on the short shaft 66, journaled in a suitable bracket 67 carried on the main frame of the machine; and is operated by the lever 68 fixed to the shaft and carryin a roller 69, adapted to engage the cam track 1, on the reciprocating frame 2. These parts are so arranged that the presser foot drops on the blank just as it reaches its position on the platen so as to stop all movement and fix it on the platen; and is then snapped out of the way immediately after the beginning of the forward motion of the frame, when the blank is sufficiently held otherwise.

Immediately after the placing of the blank on the platen as indicated in Figure 2, the jaws 22 and 23 close in, by the action of the rack-and-gear mechanism as controlled by the cam 5l, so as to center the blank on the platen with the creases 59 over its edge and with the jaw fianges 72 above the folded edges of the blank, as indicated in Figure '6.

The forward movement of the reciprocating frame is now under way and immediately the platen begins to rise on account of the engagement of the rollers 17 with the cams 18.

The first effect of the rising platen is to engage the upper surface of the folded edges of the yblank with the under sides of the jaw fianges 72, as shown in Figure 7. Then as the platen continues to rise the folded edges of the blank are forced downwardly, the lower layer or bottom 60, being folded sharply over the edges of the platen and the upper layer or flap swinging straight up, as indicated in Figure 8.

Further raising of the platen is accompanied by an inward movement of the jaws to bend the now formed legs 75 sharply'inwardly and swing the flaps over and away from the bottom, as indicated in Figure 9, thus squeezing the legs between the beveled faces of the platen and jaws to insure complete adhesion of the glued surfaces which by this time are well set.

A slight raising of the platen to the top of its stroke, now releases the legs and immediately the leading edge of the blank is seized by the pull rolls 76, journaled in suitable brackets 77 on the main frame and driven in any desirable manner, as by belts or chain to the power shaft 13.

The pull rolls are so positioned that the projecting` end of the blank is thrust into them as the reciprocating frame reaches the forward end of its movement, and is pulled off the platen and passes through the rolls opened out as shown in Figure 4, with the legs 75 formed'and extending toward each other under the bottom.

Preferably the upper beveled faces of the jaw ianges 72, are relieved by a recess 78 formed therein so that the release of the blank from the jaws are facilitated.

With the removal of the blank from the 5 platen, the recovery movement of the reciprocating frame 2 begins. During this movement, the platen falls to its first position and the jaws are withdrawn, so that upon reaching the end of the recovery movement, another blank has been received; and the cycle of operations is repeated.

Subsequent to the operations just' described the blank is further worked on, emerging from the machine inally in folded form ready to be set up into the cartonshown in Figure 5. w

We claim:

1. A forming mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a' platen and a jaw disposed at one side thereof, means lfor placing the structure upon the platen with its edge overhanging the platen, means for cansing relative movement between the platen and jaw to bend the edge of the structure over the edge of the platen, and means for -causing further relative movement between the platen and jaw to squeeze the bent over edge therebetween.

2. A forming mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a platen and a jaw disposed at one side thereof, means for placing the structure upon the platen with its edge overhanging the platen, means for causing relative movement between the platen and jaw to bend the edge of the structure over the edge of the platen, means for causing furtherrelative movement between the platen andA jaw to squeeze the bent over edge therebetween, and means for releasing the o jaw to permit removal of the structure from \the platen.

3. A forming mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a platen and a jaw disposed at one side thereof, means for placing the structure upon the platen with its'edge overhanging the platen, means for causing relative movement between the platen and jaw to bend the edge of the structure over the edge of the platen, means for causing further relative movement between the platen and jaw to squeeze the bent. over edge therebetween, means for releasing the jaw, and means for pulling the structure off of the platen.

4. vA forming mechanism forl fiber board structures, comprising a platen and a jaw disposed at one side thereof, means for placing the structure upon the platen with its edge overhanging the platen, means for causing relative movement between the platen and jaw to bend the edge of the structure over the edge of the platen, means for causing further relative movement between the platen and jaw to squeeze the bent over edge there- P between, means for releasing the jaw, and

pull rolls for taking the structure off of the y platen. l

5. A forming mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a platen and a jaw disposed at one side thereof, means for placing the structure upon the platen with its edge overhanging the platen, means for causing relative movement between the platen and jaw to bend the edge ofthe structure over the edge of the platen, means for causing further relative movement between the platen and jaw to squeeze the bent over edge therebetween, means for releasing the jaw, pull rolls adjacent'the platen, and means for causing relative movement between platen and pull rolls to permit the pull rolls to seize the structure.

6. A forming mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a slide, a frame slidable horizontally thereon, a platen slidable yvertically on the frame,'a jaw cooperating with the platen to affect the shape of the structure, means for reciprocating the frame on the slide, means for moving the platen and cooperating jaw in time with the movement of the frame, feed means for depositing ,a structure on the platen at one end lof its movement, and take-off means for removing the structure from the platen at the other end of its movement. Y Y

7 A form-ing mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a slide,a frame slidable horizontally thereon, a platen slidable vertically on the frame, a jaw cooperating withthe platen to affect the shape of the structure, means for reciprocating the frame on the slide, means for movmg the platen and cooperating jaw intime with the movement of the frame, feed means for depositing a structure on the platen at one end of its movement, means for holding the structure on the platen during the movement of the platen and jaw, and take-off means for removing the/ structure from the platen at the other end of its movement.

8. A forming mechanism for fiber board structures, comprising a slide, a frame slidable horizontally thereon, a platen slidable vertically on the frame, a jaw cooperating with the platen to affect the shape ofthe structure, means for reciprocating the frame on the slide, a cam arranged on the slide to move the platen in time with the movement of the frame, rack-and-gear mechanism for actuating the jaw, a cam disk rotating in time with the frame reciprocating means, means for operatively connecting the camdisk and the rack-and-gear mechanism feed means for depositing a structure on the platen at one end of its movement, and take-off means for removing the structure from the platen at the other end of its movement.

9. A forming mechanism for folded ber board structures, comprising a platen narrower than the body of the structure andhaving its opposite edges beveled on the under side, a jaw having its upper edge beveled and arranged on each side of the platen, means for placing the structure upon the platen with folded edges overhanging the beveled edges thereof, means for causing relative movement between the platen and jaws to bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge of the platen and elevate the upper layer, and means for causing further relative movement between the platen and jaws to squeeze the folded edges between the beveled edges of platen and jaws to swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer.

10. A forming mechanism for fol-ded fiber board structures, comprising a platen narrower than the body of the structure and having its opposite edges beveled on the under side, a jaw having its upper edge beveled and arranged on each side of the pla-ten, means for placing'the structure upon the platen with folded edges overhanging the beveled edges thereof, means for causing relative movement between the platen and j aws to bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an 'edge of the platen and elevate the upper layer, means for causing further relative movement between the platen and jaws to squeeze the folded edges between the beveled edges of platen and jaws, and means for pulling the structure off ofthe platen.

11. A forming mechanism for fol-ded fiber board structures, comprising a platen narrower than the body of the structures and having its opposite edges beveled on the under side, a aw having its upper edge beveled and arranged on each side of the platen, means for placing the structure upon the platen with folded edges overhanging the beveled edges thereof, means for causing relative movement between the platen and jaws to bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge of the platen and swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer, and'means for pulling the structure off of the platen.

12. A forming mechanism for folded fiber board structures, comprising a slide, a frame slidable horizontally thereon, a platen narrower than the body of the structure and having its opposite edges beveled on the under side vertically slidable on the frame, a jaw having its upper edge beveled arranged on each side of the platen, means for reciprocating the frame on the slide, feed means for.

depositing a structure on the platen at one end of its movement with folded edges overhangin@r the beveled edges of the platen, means for moving the jaws to bend `the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge of the platen and swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer, and means for pulling the structure off of the platen at the other end of its movement.

slidable horizontally thereon, a platen narrower than the body of the structure and having its opposite edges beveled on the under side vertically slidable on the frame, a jaw having its upper edge beveled arranged -on each side of the platen, means for reciprocating the frame on the slide, feed means for depositing a structure on the platen at one end of its movement with folded edges overhanging the beveled edges of the platen, means foi` moving the jaws to bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge of the platen and swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer, and pull rolls into which the structure is delivered at the other end of its movement.

14. A forming mechanism for folded fiber board structures, comprising a platen and a jaw disposed at each side thereof, means for placing the structure upon the platen with folded edges overhanging the platen edges, and means for causing relative move ment between platen and jaws lto bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge of the platen and swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer.

15. A forming mechanism for folded fiber board struct-ure, comprising a platen and a jaw disposed at each side thereof, means for placing the structure upon the platen with folded edges overhanging the platen edges, means for causing relative movement between platen and jaws to bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge of the platen and swingl the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer, pull rolls adjacent the end of the platen, and means for moving the platen to deliver the structure into the pull rolls.

16. A forming mechanism for folded fiber board structures, comprising a platen adapted to receive a structure with folded edges overhanging the platen edges, a jaw arranged at each side of the platen, means for causing relative movement between platen and jaws to bend the lower layer of each folded edge over an edge ofthe platen and swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer, and pull rolls adjacent the end of the platen-for pulling the structure therefrom.

17. A forming mechanism for folded fiber board structures, comprising a platen adapted to receive a struc-ture with folded edges overhanging the platen edges, a jaw arranged at each side of the platen, and means for causing relative movement between platen and jaws to bend the lower layer of each fol-ded edge over an edge of the platen and swing the upper layer outwardly and away from the lower layer.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto GEORGE F. FORD. WALTER F. PITTMAN.

,set our hands. 13. A forming mechanism for folded ber board structures, comprising a slide, a frame 

